Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1887-04-16

April 4th, 1887.

AoEt lHiY Invest. W must IHtilZe iifttL
we want the help Of the public, we must
go forward with all the vim and courage
that we possibly can summon If that
which is giyea us is turned to good, the
giver regrets it not and will give again. If
we expect to get along without trying TO
do cur whole d8ty, we will be greatly dis
appointed, and f1nd ourselves like q ship
without a crew, eOreckes. ! only say these
words to encourage. | am happy TO say
that there are several who are tfUc, honest
and earnest workers and seem to be doing
all they possibly can for the Association
and its members, and also, going outside
! trying to get young men TO jOiu with us
| and give up the evils of sin. / trust that
every oct5Ue member OF our Association
| viii do all they can, and be willing to
make some sacrifice.
The Reading Rooms have been a success
] think. They were opened on the 18th Of
| February.and there has been an attend
| ance Of over 800; an average of about II
each evening. The greatest number pres
! emf on any evening" was lG. We had this
/ number two evenings. The Gospel meet
| ings have been 9efy apeU attended, every
| Sunday afternoon. Three associate mem
| bers have giVenStheir hearts to God and
| connected themselves with the church.
| We have great room to be encouraged.
! We have membership OF A. Active
members 80; Associate 8; Sustaining /,
| and ContributIng1 We have daily pa
! pers, weeklies, three having been order
| ed q few days ago, three monthly maya
zines, one association paper and many
church papers for those who wish to spend
their time Of an evening in reading the
best literature of the day
Steps have been taken to organize a class
in Shorthand, Elocution, Mathematics
and Grammar. Many other things for the
good of the Association are being arrang-
ed. A concert is being arranged for,
and also book reception. One lecture
has been given and moderately well at
tended, as it was very bad night !
trust that every body will take greater in
terest in the future than they have III the
past and realize that 'EUeIy tree IS kRolpB
by its fruit
Respectfully Submitted.
Il. i. BARR, Gen. Sec'y.
MARTINsBURG, w. VA, April H.
re o9'oers and members oftAe Y. u. G.
At the request of Mr.. J.. o. Williams,
prompted by whom knew not, on the 3rd
day of November, 1886, in the parlors of
the st. Clair Hotel, was held the first
meeting OF this Association. Doubt
less, it was but the fruit of the old Asso
citation that existed here for some time.
But at the meeting above referred to were
taken the initiative steps for new Asso
citation, to be known and recognized as
dating its birth from that time. There was
nothing but gloom ahead, and every one
who had reputation at stake did not care
to be conspicuous in the young fedgling.
The example of other Associations only
served to cast deeper shadow over ours,
for they only led us to recognize the re-
sponsibility OF such an undertaking
These Associations only betokened the
necessity of employing an experienced Sc
rotary and the erection of a handsome
building all at very great expense far
Oeyond the reach OF the average pocket
book of Martinsburg.
Against sthese apparent difficulties the
consciences of our people seemed to battle
and we started. We have not employed
that model of physical workmanship that
demands a princely salary tor Secretary
nor have we the colossal editice apparent
lY so neceS sary to enable us to begin work
as an Association But we have made Il
favorable start and let us swatch and
pray'' and hope and labor that our efforts
may be crowned with success to the saw
ing of souls. The enemy is already upon
us, but He will not suffer you to be tempt
ec above that We are able" Untold posi-
bilities are within our reach If we only
show to the world that we are in earnest
and that this humble beginning is not
mere bubble. We have been encouraged
to hold meetings, to rent rooms, to start
library, employ secretary TO keep the
rooms omen to visitors, to hold devotional
These meetings have grown both in inter-
est and usefulness. Let us show to the
Church that we are furnishing material
for them and in no way an em0arrassment
TO their noble work. 1t is to be hoped that
orr members may knock at the door of
every evangelical church in the city, and
beg admittance and become useful and
consistent Christians. This Association
should have a permanent Home IN THIS
city, and believe it is within the reach
of us to have comfortable building. L
don't think it possible at present but steps
might be taken to mature plan, or for the
creation of a fund TO be used exclusively
! for that purpose. / believe that build
| ing could be constructed of an unpreten-
| tious character that would be paying in
vestment if wisely financial and properly
! arranged in some suitable place. ouch q
| building would be an honor to the city and
! a pride to the community / believe if such
| a move was inaugurated, asking sub
scription from every man, woman ana
| child in the county, eXcuslng none under
90 wears of age, the result would be COM
modous building of which every contrlbu-
tor would be proud. ;. H. DoDp.
MARr1NsBURG, w VA, April 4.
To Pyesidet and Board OF Directors Of
Y. ". G. A.
The devotional committee desire to re-
| mort that PRAYER and praise meetings have
| baen neld in the rooms of the Association
every Sunday evening when the union SER
vices were held in the Rink. The meet
inps have been we'll attended and full OF in
| terest. LEE NJ. BENDER,
| $. l.. DODD.
MARriNsBURG, w. VA, April 4.
TO the officers and Directors Of the y.
NJ. @. 4.
| GENTLEMEN:
Yonr committees on rooms beg leave to
nrocured the following: Three tables,
book shelves, two lamps, clothes hooks,oil,,
cloth for hall, stair rod fastener, &c, and
four games, at a cost of $23. Y; all OF
which has been paid but 1910. In add
ton to this the Ladies' Auxiliary have fur'
nished the rooms with carpet, stove, Oil